Mawdesley up to eighth after narrow win

The green at White Coppice provided a picture perfect backdrop on the hottest day of the year thus far.

Mawdesley skipper Matt Watkinson won the toss and had no hesitation in deciding to bat first despite his side’s recent batting failures. He sent out a new opening pair with Chris Gibirdi and Ben Ward facing the new ball.

Gibirdi was first to depart for 11 as he was adjudged to be LBW off the bowling of Rana Javeed.

Nick Marsden joined Ward at the crease and the pair began to frustrate the home attack with the short boundaries proving to be inviting for both men.

Together they put on a partnership of 94 but both fell just short of individual half centuries with Javeed again the wicket taker.

Marsden (49) mistimed an attempted cover drive to be bowled, before Ward (48) offered a simple return catch to the White Coppice opener.

With seven wickets remaining, the visitors had the ideal platform to score some quick fire runs and they did just that by adding 98 in the final 13 overs.

Watkinson (15) and Darren LeMarinel (27) set the tone for Dave Whiteley (33*) and Alex Berry (16*) to close out the innings with some lusty blows as Mawdesley finished on 216-5. Javeed was the pick of the home bowlers, finishing with 4-80 off his 20 overs.

Alex Berry struck early with the ball in the White Coppice reply, dismissing Thomas Bates LBW for 7. Richard Fox (30) and Kyle Dixon (24) both looked well set until they each fell to excellent catches off the bowling of Chris Gibirdi.

Kelvin Gibbons held on to a high catch to dismiss the danger man Dixon while Marsden reacted quickly at point to see off Fox. Chris Maguire and home skipper Tony Moore batted with great control and were on course to guide their side to victory.

A partnership worth 89 took White Coppice to within 38 runs of the required target but the stand was broken when Dave Wilson had Moore (52) out LBW. Maguire (39) was comprehensively bowled by Nathan Trengove shortly afterwards to swing the contest back in Mawdesley’s favour.

Three further quick wickets fell as the hosts chased the game, including a very smart catch from Alex Berry in the deep to see off big-hitting Phil Jackson. With a run-a-ball needed, the tie could easily have swung back the other way if it wasn’t for some excellent death bowling from Wilson (3-32) and Gibirdi (2-38) as Coppice closed on 208-8 from their allotted overs.

The victory for Mawdesley moves them into eighth spot in the Division One standings but just eight points off current leaders Longridge. They travel to Fulwood & Broughton next week looking to build on this positive result.

The Editor

Andrew Brown

Andrew Brown is the editor of the Southport Visiter, Midweek Visiter, Formby Times, Ormskirk Advertiser, Skelmersdale Advertiser, and the Crosby Herald. Andrew was born and bred in Southport - a true Sandgrounder. Andrew was one of the founders of Southport's Charity Fun Fest.